Finding 51255 (2022-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-28
Audit: 43527
Organization: Brown County Schools (IN)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The School Corporation lacked an effective internal control system, particularly in segregating duties, leading to noncompliance with wage rate requirements for the COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR 200.303, which mandates effective internal controls over federal awards to ensure adherence to grant agreements.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should implement a robust internal control system, including segregation of duties, to ensure compliance with wage rate requirements and grant agreements.

Finding Text

FINDING 2022-001 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Number: 84.425U Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context An effective internal control system, which would include segregation of duties, was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Certified contractor payrolls related to the construction project were obtained by the School Corporation with no documented review or oversight process in place to ensure their accuracy and compliance. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue which occurred throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause Management had not developed a system of internal controls over the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system places the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls, including segregation of duties, related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions ? Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.

Corrective Action Plan

FINDING 2022-001 Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Dawn Ray Contact Phone Number: 812-988-6601 Views of Responsible Official: Brown County Schools viewed this Internal Controls requirement as being fulfilled by Performance Services, Inc. (PSI) as part of their responsibilities as contractor for their sub-contractor?s certified payroll as it is addressed in PSI?s sub-contractor contract. The sub-contractor sends their certified payroll to PSI who verifies all information including Wage Rate requirements before rendering payment. Brown County Schools did not know that we were to complete this extra step. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Brown County Schools will require notification of certified payroll reviews be sent to us with the monthly work updates after the contractor has reviewed them for accuracy and compliance with prevailing wage requirements. Anticipated Completion Date: Effective immediately at conclusion of the 2020-2022 audit.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Special Tests & Provisions Material Weakness Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Subrecipient Monitoring

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 627697 2022-001
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund 22 $1.01M
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children 21 $1.00M
10.555 National School Lunch Program 22 $989,763
84.374 Teacher Incentive Fund 22 $931,340
84.374 Teacher Incentive Fund 21 $592,870
84.027 Special Education_grants to States 21 $438,608
84.027 Special Education_grants to States 22 $391,649
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund 21 $328,258
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies 21 $322,936
10.553 School Breakfast Program 22 $235,426
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies 22 $203,738
10.555 National School Lunch Program 21 $155,576
84.002 Adult Education - Basic Grants to States 22 $78,416
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants 21 $67,156
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program 21 $51,847
84.002 Adult Education - Basic Grants to States 21 $45,338
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants 22 $38,212
93.575 Child Care and Development Block Grant 22 $27,359
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children 22 $25,723
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants 21 $15,381
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants 22 $15,204
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program 22 $5,854